LIBERTY The county seat of Clay county, about three miles north of the Missouri River, 134 miles from Jefferson City, and 260 miles from St. Louis. It contains several stores and manufactories, and has a large trade from the surrounding country. (Missouri State Gazetteer..., 1860)
LIBERTY, a post-village, capital of Clay county, Missouri, is situated about 5 miles N. from the Missouri river, about 200 miles by the river above Jefferson City. The situation is healthy and the water is good. The town contains a handsome brick court house, about 5 churches, 2 academies, and a newspaper office. It is surrounded by a highly productive farming district, which abounds in stone coal and fine limestone. Many horses, cattle, and swine are also exported. Population in 1853, estimated at 1500. (Baldwin & Thomas, A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States ... 1854)